Foldable furniture unit



May 11, 1965 Filed March 22, 1963 K- C. MEES FOLDABLE FURNITURE UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I INVENTOR 3 KENNETH c. MEES ATTORNEY May 11, 1965 K. c. MEES FOLDABLE FURNITURE UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 22, 1963 INVENT OR KENNETH CMEES ATTORNEY FIG. 7

United States Patent 3,182,615 FULDABLE FURNITURE UNIT Kenneth C. Mees, RR. 3, Box d2, Albion, Mich. Filed Mar. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 267,293 9 Claims. or. res-n31) This invention relates to a furniture unit and, more particularly, to a furniture unit such as a table, bench or the like which can be easily and quickly folded for portability or storage, but yet which is very strong and stable in its upright, unfolded position.

For various types of small tables, benches, ironing boards, and the like, it is highly desirable that the unit be foldable for storage and for portability. Numerous constructions for such foldable furniture units have been proposed, and may are in common use. However, such prior constructions have one or a number of disadvantages. Perhaps the most serious disadvantage is that of instability when the unit is in its unfolded, upright position. Another disadvantage, which is generally the case with prior constructions specifically designed to provide good stability, is that of structural complexity and cost. A still further disadvantage of prior constructions, attendant to that of structural complexity, is the excessive trouble and time required to convert the furniture unit from its folded to its unfolded position, and vice versa. Another disadvantage of many of the foldable furniture units which have heretofore been proposed is that even when folded, they do not provide the ultimate in compactness desired for storage and easy portability. It was a recognition of these and other problems in this art which led to the conception and development of the present invention.

Therefore, the objects and features of the present invention include the provision of a foldable furniture unit which is of relatively simple, low cost construction, and yet which has excellent strength and stability in it upright, unfolded position.

Another object and feature of this invention is to provide a foldable furniture unit which can be easily and rapidly converted from its folded to its unfolded position and vice versa.

Another object and feature of this invention is the provision of a foldable furniture unit which is very strong and stable in its upright, unfolded position, and yet which as optimum compactness in its folded position thereby being easily portable and requiring a minimum of storage space.

Yet another object and feature of this invention is the provision of a foldable furniture unit which comprises a top member with a substantially flat bottom surface, a pair of supporting legs pivotally secured to the top member at spaced points on the bottom surface thereof such that the legs can be folded toward each other and toward the top member, and a pair of diagonally extending cross braces pivotally connected to the top member and the legs, each of the cross braces having a pivotal connection intermediate its ends such that the cross braces are folded toward the top member upon folding of the legs.

Still another object and feature of this invention is the provision of a foldable furniture unit as described above and which includes a resilient connection between the cross braces which provides greatly increased stability to the unit when it is in its unfolded, upright position.

Still another object and feature of this invention is the provision of a foldable furniture unit as described above wherein the pivotal connections of the legs with the bottom surface of the top member are positioned such that when the legs are folded, the folded cross braces are compactly accommodated between the legs and the top member such that the folded unit has optimum compactness.

Still further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means herein after fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the annexed drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a table illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the table being shown in its unfolded, upright position;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of the table shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of the table shown in FIGURE 1, but in its folded position;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom view similar to that of FIG- URE 3, but with parts broken away to show the position of the cross braces when the table is in its folded position;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the table shown in FIGURE 1, but in an inverted position and in the course of being converted from its unfolded to its folded position;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view similar to that of FIGURE 5, but with the table being shown from its other side and in a fully folded position;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view, in enlarged scale, of the table shown in FIGURES 1 through 6, and shows the details of the latch for securing the table in its folded condition;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional fragmentary view, in enlarged scale, taken on the line VIII-VIII of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional fragmentary view, in enlarged scale, taken on a line IX-IX of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 10 is a sectional fragmentary View, in enlarged scale, taken on the line X-X of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGURES 1 and 2, there is shown a table having a top member 12 with a substantially fiat bottom surface 14, a pair of downwardly extending legs 16 and 18 and a pair of diagonally extending cross braces 20 and 22 between the top member and the legs. The bottom surface 14 includes a pair of spaced parallel elongate raised portions 24 and 26 which are of rectangular cross section and which, in the embodiment shown, are formed of wood boards of square cross section suitably secured as by bolts or nails to the top member 12. As can best be seen in FIGURE 3, in the particular embodiment shown, each leg comprises a fiat board having its free end formed or cut to provide a pair of ground-engaging portions 28 and 36, the pair of legs thereby providing a total of four ground-engaging surfaces.

The legs 16 and 18 are pivotally secured, both in like manner, to the bottom surface of the top member 12 by hinges 32 and 34 respectively. Referring to the hinge connection of leg 16 and as can best be seen in FIGURE 8, one hinge plate 36 is secured to the underside of raised portion 24 and the other hinge plate 33 is secured to the inside surface of the leg to at a point thereon which is at a distance from the upper end of the leg equal to the thickness of the raised portion 24. Hence, when the legs are in their unfolded or extended positions, the flat upper ends thereof abut in face-to-face contact with the bottom surface of the top member, as illustrated at as in FIGURE 8, there being no stress therefore on the hinges by reason of any weight or downward force applied to the top member. Further, it will be noted that the thickness of raised portion 24 to which the leg 16 is hinged exceeds the thickness of the raised portion 26 to which leg 18 is hinged, the difference in thicknesses being equal to the thickness of the leg 18. Therefore, as can best be seen in FIGURE 6, when the legs are pivoted toward each other to their fully folded positions, the leg 18 extends parallel to the top member and is spaced therefrom by a distance about equal to the thickness of the raised portion 26; and leg 16, which likewise extends parallel to the top member 12, is spaced from the top member by a distance about equal to the thickness of raised portion 24 and hence snugly abuts the surface of the leg 18.

Referring again now to FIGURES l and 2, the two cross braces 20 and 22 are of substantially identical construction, and when the table is in its unfolded, upright position, extend diagonally between the top member and the legs. in spaced, vertical planes such that they intersect in spaced vertical planes as indicated by reference numeral 40 in FIGURE 1. Each cross brace, for example cross brace 22, is formed by an upper, relatively long elongate member 42 and a lower, relatively short elongate member 44 having fiat ends 46 and 47 respectively (see FIGURE which abut each other in face-to-face contact when the table is in itsunfolded, upright position. The fiat abutting ends of the members 42 and 44 are pivotally connected by a hinge 48 secured to the lower surfaces of the elongate members. Hence the cross brace can be folded toward the top member 12 by way of the pivotal connection provided by the hinge 48; however, the hinge in combination with the abutting flat end surfaces 46 and 47 of the members 42 and 44 respectively prevent any folding in a direction away from the top member 12.

As can best be seen in FIGURE 9, the lower end 50 of the elongate member 44 is cut at an angle so as to be coplanar with the inner surface of leg 18 when the table is in its upright position, and is pivotally secured to the leg 18 adjacent the lower end thereof by means of a hinge 52 having one plate thereof secured to the upper surface of the elongate member 44 and the other plate thereof secured to the inner surface of the leg 18, adjacent the surface 50. Hence, when the table is in its unfolded position, the one plate of the hinge 52 is sandwiched between the leg and the end of the cross brace connected thereto as shown in FIGURE 9.

And now with reference again to FIGURE 8, but as can also be seen in FIGURE 1, the upper end of elongate member 42 is pivotally connected by a hinge 53 to the bottom surface of the top member 12 at a point thereon adjacent the pivotal connection of the other leg, i.e., leg 16. The hinge 53 has one plate thereof secured to the top surface of the elongate member 42 and the other plate thereof secured to the bottom surface 14 of the top member such that the elongate member 42 can be folded flat against surface 14. And as can best be seen in FIGURE 2, the pivot connection formed by this hinge 53 between the cross brace 22 and the top member, and the. counterpart pivot connection formed by hinge 54 between the upper end of cross brace 2.0 and a top member are positioned such that the cross braces extend in spaced vertical planes, as alluded to previously, cross brace extending generally longitudinally of the top member 12 at about the center thereof and the cross brace 22 extending longitudinally of the top member 12 to one side of cross brace 20. Also, and as will be obvious from FIGURE 2 in particular, all of the pivot axes of the various hinges are parallel to each other thereby allowing all pivotal movements totake place in concert without any binding.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the elongate member 42 is about twice the length of the member 44. Hence the pivot connections 43 in the cross braces are located intermediate and, more specifically, approximately half-way between the intersection 4b and the lower ends of the cross braces. Intermediate the intersection 4t) and the pivot connections 48 in the cross braces there extends between the elongate members 42, of the cross braces a coil spring 56 which is of such length as to be in tension when the table is in its unfolded, upright position as shown in FIGURE 1. The spring 56 extends generally parallel to the top member 12 when the table is in its upright position and is suitably secured to the cross braces by means of eyelets 58 and 60 (see FIGURE 2) screwed into the opposed side surfaces of cross braces 20 and 22 respectively. Because the spring is in tension, it functions to inhibit. unauthorized pivotal movement of the hinges 46 in the cross braces when the table is in its unfolded, upright position and hence assures stability of the table.

T-o fold the table it is only necessary to initiate pivotal movement of the hinge 48 in cross brace 22 and pivot the leg 18 toward the top member. Hence the cross brace 22. commences to fold on itself, and the leg 18 is further moved towards a folded position. This causes pivotal movement of the hinge in the cross brace 20 along with pivotal movement of the leg 16 toward its folded position. The folding of the cross braces and the pivotal movement of the legs 16 and 18 toward the top member, all against the tension of spring 56, continues until the legs are in their fully folded position, the then folded cross braces being accommodated between the legs and the bottom surface 14 of the top member as shown in FIGURE 6. Referring further to FIGURE 6, it will be noted that the combined thickness of the raised portion 26 and the folded hinge 34 is about equal to the combined thickness of the elongate members 42 and 44 plus the folded hinge 48 between them and hence when the cross brace 22 is completely folded as shown, the members 42 and 44 are folded against each other in substantially parallel rela tionship. By reason of the slightly greater thickness of the raised portion 24, there is a slight angularity between the elongate members of cross brace 20 when such cross brace is in its fully folded position. 7

As can be seen in FIGURE 7, but also with reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, the bottom surface of leg 16 intermediate the ground-engaging portions thereof has secured thereto the female portion 62 of a snap latch, the male portion 64 of which is secured to the outer surface of leg 18 in a position to engage the female portion 62 when the table is fully folded. The latch is of conventional construction, male portion 64 having a rounded projection 66 which snaps into engagement with a slot 68 in the female portion, a suitable spring or other resilient means (not shown) maintaining the projection and slot in latched relationship until a force suflicient to cause disengagement is applied. Hence, the latch assures that the table will remain in its fully folded position until it is desired to unfold the unit. For easy carrying, the table is also preferably provided with a handle '70 hingedly secured to the top member 12 adjacent one edge thereof. Further, the edge of the top member 12 oppositely disposed from that adjacent which the handle is secured is preferably provided with a plurality of rubber or the like rest buttons 72 (see FIGURES 2 and 4) to serve as floor or ground-engaging surfaces while the table is in storage.

To unfold the table it is only necessary to swing the legs 16 and 18 downwardly and outwardly, thereby disengaging the latch and causing the cross braces to unfold into their straight positions, as shown in FIGURE 1, where they are held in such position by the spring 56 as previously described. Another procedure by which the table can be quickly set up is to merely hold the folded table with the top side up and apply an abrupt upward movement thereby disengaging the latch and causing the legs and cross braces to snap into their unfolded position.

It will be manifest that by way of the hinged legs and foldable cross braces, and the relationship therebetween, and especially by way of the coil spring tensioned between the cross braces, the furniture unit described has excellent stability in its upright position and fulfills all the other objects of the invention. It will be understood of course that while in the particular embodiment shown, the top member, legs and cross braces are all of wood, other materials such as plastic or metal can be used if desired. Also, whereas the invention has been described in detail with specific reference to a table, it will be understood that it can also be used to advantage for other types of furniture units; for example, benches, ironing boards, sewing machine stands, desks and the like.

While but one form :of the invention has been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiment shown in the drawing and described above is merely for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism or components thereof herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A foldable furniture unit comprising a top member, a pair of downwardly extending legs pivotally connected at spaced points to said top member such that said legs can be folded toward each other and toward said top memher, a pair of cross braces extending diagonally between said top member and said legs and intersecting each other in sidewise spaced parallel planes, each of said cross braces having one end thereof pivotally connected to one respectively of said legs and the other end pivotally connected to said top member, said cross braces each having a pivotal connection therein such that said cross braces can be folded toward said top member with said legs, and means connecting said pair of cross braces together and releasably holding same extended when said furniture unit is in unfolded position.

2. A foldable furniture unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said legs has a pair of spaced groundengaging surfaces at the end thereof remote from that pivotally connected to said top member, and means for releasably holding said legs in folded position.

3. A foldable furniture unit comprising a top member, a pair of downwardly extending legs pivotally connected at spaced points to said top member such that said legs can be folded toward each other and toward said top member, a pair of cross braces extending diagonally between said top member and said legs and intersecting each other in sidewise spaced parallel planes, each of said cross braces having one end thereof pivotally connected to one respectively of said legs and the other end pivotally connected to said top member, said cross braces each having a pivotal connection therein located below said intersection of the cross braces whereby said cross braces can be folded toward said top member, and a resilient member extending between and connected to each of said cross braces above the pivotal connection therein and below said intersection to resist unauthorized folding of said cross braces and said legs.

4. A foldable furniture unit as set forth in claim 3 wherein the pivotal connection between each cross brace and the respective leg is adjacent the lower end of the leg and wherein the pivotal connection between each of said respective cross braces and the top member is located adjacent the pivotal connection of said top member with the other of said legs.

5. A foldable furniture unit comprising a top member having a bottom surface with a pair of spaced parallel elongate raised portions and with a substantially flat portion between said raised portions, a pair of flat downwardly extending legs each pivotally connected to one respectively of said raised portions such that said legs can be folded toward each other and toward the fiat portion of said bottom surface, a pair of cross braces extending diagonally between said top member and said legs and intersecting each other in spaced parallel planes, each of said cross braces having one end pivotally connected to one respectively of said legs adjacent the lower end thereof and the other end pivotally connected to the flat portion of said bottom surface adjacent the raised portion to which the other of said respective legs is pivotally connected, said cross braces each being formed by an upper relatively long elongate member and a lower relatively short elongate member having adjacent ends pivotally connected together whereby said cross braces can be folded toward said top member with said legs, and a resilient member tensioned between the relatively long elongate members of said cross braces below the intersection thereof to inhibit unauthorized folding of said cross braces.

6. A foldable furniture unit as set forth in claim 5 wherein the adjacent ends of said elongate members are flat and abut each other when the furniture unit is in its unfolded position and wherein the pivotal connection between said elongate members is a hinge secured to the undersides of said elongate members.

7. A foldable furniture unit as set forth in claim 5 wherein one of said raised portions has a. thickness greater than that of the other raised portion and wherein the thickness of each raised portion is sufiicient to allow the leg pivotally connected thereto to extend parallel to the flat portion of said bottom surface when said leg is folded with the cross brace connected to such leg sandwiched in its folded position between such leg and the flat portion of said bottom surface.

8. A foldable furniture unit as set forth in claim 5 having a latch to secure said unit in its folded position.

9. A foldable furniture unit comprising a top member having a bottom surface with a pair of raised parallel elongate raised portions and with a substantially flat portion between said raised portions, a pair of flat downwardly extending legs each having its lower end formed with two ground-engaging surfaces and its upper end pivotally connected to one respectively of said raised portions such that said legs can be folded toward each other and toward the fiat bottom portion of said bottom surface, a pair of cross braces extending diagonally between said top member and said legs and intersecting each other in spaced parallel planes, each of said cross braces having its lower end pivotally connected to one respectively of said legs adjacent the lower end thereof and its upper end pivotally connected to the flat portion of the bottom surface of the top member adjacent the pivotal connection of the other of said legs, said cross braces each having a pivotal connection therein located below the intersection of said cross braces and allowing said cross braces to be folded only toward said top member and in concert with the folding of said legs, and a coil spring having one end thereof connected to one of said cross braces and the other end thereof connected to the other of said cross braces intermediate the pivotal connections in and the intersection of said cross braces to inhibit unauthorized folding of said cross braces and said legs.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,836,943 12/31 Temple 108-131 2,180,525 11/39 Ingram 10836 2,282,665 5/42 McCaslin 108-34 2,450,827 10/48 Clare l08157 2,684,275 7/54 Guath et al. 108131 2,709,631 5/55 Covucci 108-36 3,101,682 8/63 Pugsley 10841 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner, 

1. A FOLDABLE FURNITURE UNIT COMPRISING A TOP MEMBER, A PAIR OF DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING LEGS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT SPACED POINTS TO SAID TOP MEMBER SUCH THAT SAID LEGS CAN BE FOLDED TOWARD EACH OTHER AND TOWARD SAID TOP MEMBER, A PAIR OF CROSS BRACES EXTENDING DIAGONALLY BETWEEN SAID TOP MEMBER AND SAID LEGS AND INTERSECTING EACH OTHER IN SIDEWISE SPACED PARALLEL PLANES, EACH OF SAID CROSS BRACES HAVING ONE END THEREOF PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO ONE RESPECTIVELY OF SAID LEGS AND THE OTHER END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID TOP MEMBER, SAID CROSS BRACES EACH HAVING A PIVOTAL CONNECTION THEREIN SUCH THAT SAID CROSS BRACES CAN BE FOLDED TOWARD SAID TOP MEMBER WITH SAID LEGS, AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID PAIRS OF CROSS BRACES TOGETHER AND RELEASABLY HOLDING SAME EXTENDED WHEN SAID FURNITURE UNIT IS IN UNFOLDED POSITION. 